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Explore a selection of my writing work below.

The Athletic •

‘My Guys’: Bijan Robinson, Chris Godwin and more of Jay Felicio’s priority targets for fantasy football 2024

There are endless explanations for why a player may become a “my guy” for fantasy managers: unjustly low ADP, caught your eye on tape, played for your team in EA Sports College Football 2025… I tend to target post-hype sleepers, players who disappointed in seasons past and can be drafted at a discount but still offer an abundance of upside. But this season, there’s a running back whose potential has me salivating, and I’m willing to buy all the risk. Here are my preseason “my guys.” I’m all in....
The Athletic •

Brian Robinson Jr., Romeo Doubs among latest additions to Jay Felicio’s “My Guys” for fantasy football 2024

We are right in the thick of the draft season, and as situations change, so do ADPs. My first round of “My Guys” that dropped in July was led by some more prominent names than you’ll see in this edition. I’ve had my eye on some of these following players all preseason. Some I’ve recently come around to based on their cost in drafts. But they all have one thing in common: solid value and viable paths to exceed their ADP.Although Caleb Williams has superior weapons and a higher long-term ceiling,...
FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

10 Things to Know: Fantasy Football Week 17

It’s a short and sweet intro this week. If you’re reading this, you’re likely in your fantasy football league championship and know what you’re doing. With it being the final week, the “10 Things” lean heavier on start-sit decisions than usual, as nothing else matters in fantasy football after Week 17 (unless you’re a sicko who plays in Week 18).

Thank you for reading this season. This series has been my favorite to write, possibly ever, and I hope to have helped in some small way on your path...
The Athletic •

Deuce Vaughn, Jahan Dotson and more $1 auction league targets for fantasy football 2024

Auction drafts offer a level playing field that is unmatched in fantasy football. It’s by far my favorite format, and one that we use for my home league. It’s the only format where every player is available to everyone in the league. Are you stuck with a late pick in a snake draft? Zero chance for Christian McCaffrey, among others. If you want to pay up to get CMC, CeeDee Lamb, and Bijan Robinson on your team, you can, but you’ll have to add some $1 scrubs. Below are some of my favorite $1 aucti...
The Athletic •

Fantasy football 2024 strategy mock draft: From best available to zeroRB, and everything in between

As our beloved fantasy football draft season inches closer with each scorching summer day, mock draft season is like the cool little brother the group doesn’t mind tagging along.  With mock drafts in abundance this time of year, we put a bit of a twist on ours. The brainchild of Brandon Funston, six members of The Athletic’s fantasy football staff — Funston, Gary Davenport, Jake Ciely, Michael Waterloo, Michael Salfino and Jay Felicio (that’s me) — were tasked with drafting two teams each. One w...
FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

2024 Second-Year Scouting Report: Zach Charbonnet

The new rookie class around the NFL gets all the attention over the summer. They’re the flashy new pieces for fantasy football, and of course they can be anything.

But last year’s rookies aren’t fully formed yet. The players entering their second season aren’t the fancy new thing anymore. That can open up some value in fantasy drafts for players still due to break out, and it can lead to fantasy mistakes for players who had a good first season that turn out to be a mirage. Everyone knows Year 1...
FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

2024 Second-Year Scouting Report: Puka Nacua

The new rookie class around the NFL gets all the attention over the summer. They’re the flashy new pieces for fantasy football, and of course they can be anything.

But last year’s rookies aren’t fully formed yet. The players entering their second season aren’t the fancy new thing anymore. That can open up some value in fantasy drafts for players still due to break out, and it can lead to fantasy mistakes for players who had a good first season that turn out to be a mirage. Everyone knows Year 1...
The Athletic •

How Topps reinvented Series 1 for 2024: ‘We have color at our disposal; why not use it?’

Topps’ flagship Series 1 debuts February 14th and this year’s release refreshes the brand with an innovative design featuring a neon border and black smoke backdrop.It is a massive departure from what we’ve seen over the years from Topps’ Series 1 line (although they’ve put out beautiful, creative cards, this is a bold new look). If you’ve collected Topps’ Cosmic or Fire lines — or even Upper Deck’s Skybox Metal Universe and Panini’s Phoenix — you’ve been treated to bold, colorful designs with a...
The Athletic •

How a Connor Bedard rookie card drew a $1 million bounty — the ‘Young Guns’ version is finally released

Montasy Comics general manager Jimmy Chen got an immediate glimpse of the hype surrounding Connor Bedard’s rookie card from the moment Bedard officially became an NHL player.“It started as soon as he was drafted,” recalled Chen, whose store is located in midtown Manhattan. “I got texts, ‘Are you getting Connor Bedard cards?'”Since Bedard was drafted No. 1 by the Chicago Blackhawks in June, the hype, anticipation and, well, the expected value of his rookie card has only increased. And NHLPA/NHL r...
The Athletic •

NFL Week 12 fantasy football QB stock watch: Josh Allen up, Bryce Young hits rock bottom and more

Gardner Minshew and Kenny Pickett have combined to throw zero touchdowns since Week 9. Bryce Young may need a new mentor. Josh Allen is back! Jay Felicio takes you through the week in QB play with instant analysis on who’s trending up… and the many trending down. Love had his third straight game of over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns on Thanksgiving versus the Lions. Even in a tough matchup with the Chiefs’ defense, he’s a solid starter in superflex leagues and a fringe starter in 1QB. – Stoc...
FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

10 Things to Know: Fantasy Football Week 12

Week 12 of the fantasy football season is here, and it’s crunch time. Bye-mageddon is upon us, the fantasy playoffs loom, and every decision matters. My “10 Things” is your survival guide, with insights to help you navigate the chaos and emerge victorious. We’ll uncover hidden gems, identify potential busts, and even offer some playoff strategies.

Don’t let this crucial week slip away – let’s conquer Week 12.

Jauan Jennings finds himself primed to play an integral part in the Niners’ passing a...
The Athletic •

What to do with Austin Ekeler and Breece Hall, Andy Behrens for NFL Commish and more: Week 14 fantasy football mailbag

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the final week of the fantasy football season! Next week kicks off the playoffs for most leagues, and this will be my last mailbag of the season (but we still have a few more mailbags left with Dane and Dom answering). I want to thank each of you who have submitted questions, comments, and read my work this season. It truly means the world, and I hope I helped improve your fantasy season somehow. If I didn’t answer your question in the article, drop it in the comments,...

My Latest Work

FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

Moves to Make Now in Dynasty Fantasy Football (2/26)

Sadly, we’re in the slow point of the NFL offseason. Still, with free agency and the draft right around the corner, there is opportunity to be had and dynasty moves to make before things start to get weird.

As a reminder, buying doesn’t mean getting a player for the complete series DVD set of Golden Girls and Will Dissly. Selling doesn’t mean you must rid your rosters of said player for 10 cents on the dollar. When players are improperly valued, take advantage.

One of the (very) few bright spo...
FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

10 Things to Know: Fantasy Football Week 17

It’s a short and sweet intro this week. If you’re reading this, you’re likely in your fantasy football league championship and know what you’re doing. With it being the final week, the “10 Things” lean heavier on start-sit decisions than usual, as nothing else matters in fantasy football after Week 17 (unless you’re a sicko who plays in Week 18).

Thank you for reading this season. This series has been my favorite to write, possibly ever, and I hope to have helped in some small way on your path...
FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

10 Things to Know: Fantasy Football Week 12

Week 12 of the fantasy football season is here, and it’s crunch time. Bye-mageddon is upon us, the fantasy playoffs loom, and every decision matters. My “10 Things” is your survival guide, with insights to help you navigate the chaos and emerge victorious. We’ll uncover hidden gems, identify potential busts, and even offer some playoff strategies.

Don’t let this crucial week slip away – let’s conquer Week 12.

Jauan Jennings finds himself primed to play an integral part in the Niners’ passing a...
The Athletic •

Final fantasy football preseason takeaways: Surprise rookies, a new top RB handcuff contender and more

Preseason games are finished, training camps are ending, and we’re a week away from the start of the NFL season. With the overflow of daily updates, NFL news, and reports, it can be challenging to wade through the noise. Here are some things we learned from the preseason that you may have missed and could help lead you to a fantasy championship.Albeit it’s been during practice and preseason games, several members of this year’s NFL draft class are in a position to immediately be fantasy-relevant...
The Athletic •

Brian Robinson Jr., Romeo Doubs among latest additions to Jay Felicio’s “My Guys” for fantasy football 2024

We are right in the thick of the draft season, and as situations change, so do ADPs. My first round of “My Guys” that dropped in July was led by some more prominent names than you’ll see in this edition. I’ve had my eye on some of these following players all preseason. Some I’ve recently come around to based on their cost in drafts. But they all have one thing in common: solid value and viable paths to exceed their ADP.Although Caleb Williams has superior weapons and a higher long-term ceiling,...
The Athletic •

Fantasy football mailbag: Six players worthy of HeroRB status, tips for fantasy first-timers and more

For those of you who aren’t bewitched by the beautiful game of fantasy football year-round, welcome! Once the calendar turns to August we see a flood of slightly less obsessed (and likely more stable) fantasy managers ready to prepare for full on draft season. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. If I didn’t answer yours in the article, drop it in the comments and I’ll answer as many as possible. You can also hit me up on Twitter/X @GMenJay.Can you talk us through your strategy on drafts...
The Athletic •

Deuce Vaughn, Jahan Dotson and more $1 auction league targets for fantasy football 2024

Auction drafts offer a level playing field that is unmatched in fantasy football. It’s by far my favorite format, and one that we use for my home league. It’s the only format where every player is available to everyone in the league. Are you stuck with a late pick in a snake draft? Zero chance for Christian McCaffrey, among others. If you want to pay up to get CMC, CeeDee Lamb, and Bijan Robinson on your team, you can, but you’ll have to add some $1 scrubs. Below are some of my favorite $1 aucti...
The Athletic •

Fantasy football 2024 strategy mock draft: From best available to zeroRB, and everything in between

As our beloved fantasy football draft season inches closer with each scorching summer day, mock draft season is like the cool little brother the group doesn’t mind tagging along.  With mock drafts in abundance this time of year, we put a bit of a twist on ours. The brainchild of Brandon Funston, six members of The Athletic’s fantasy football staff — Funston, Gary Davenport, Jake Ciely, Michael Waterloo, Michael Salfino and Jay Felicio (that’s me) — were tasked with drafting two teams each. One w...
The Athletic •

‘My Guys’: Bijan Robinson, Chris Godwin and more of Jay Felicio’s priority targets for fantasy football 2024

There are endless explanations for why a player may become a “my guy” for fantasy managers: unjustly low ADP, caught your eye on tape, played for your team in EA Sports College Football 2025… I tend to target post-hype sleepers, players who disappointed in seasons past and can be drafted at a discount but still offer an abundance of upside. But this season, there’s a running back whose potential has me salivating, and I’m willing to buy all the risk. Here are my preseason “my guys.” I’m all in....
FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

2024 Second-Year Scouting Report: Zach Charbonnet

The new rookie class around the NFL gets all the attention over the summer. They’re the flashy new pieces for fantasy football, and of course they can be anything.

But last year’s rookies aren’t fully formed yet. The players entering their second season aren’t the fancy new thing anymore. That can open up some value in fantasy drafts for players still due to break out, and it can lead to fantasy mistakes for players who had a good first season that turn out to be a mirage. Everyone knows Year 1...
FTN (For The Numbers) - Fantasy Football, DVOA, Be •

2024 Second-Year Scouting Report: Puka Nacua

The new rookie class around the NFL gets all the attention over the summer. They’re the flashy new pieces for fantasy football, and of course they can be anything.

But last year’s rookies aren’t fully formed yet. The players entering their second season aren’t the fancy new thing anymore. That can open up some value in fantasy drafts for players still due to break out, and it can lead to fantasy mistakes for players who had a good first season that turn out to be a mirage. Everyone knows Year 1...
The Athletic •

Meet Mike ‘the Mouth’ Massotto — the man trying to save fantasy baseball’s live draft tradition

It’s a Friday night in March. Mike Massotto, the 58-year-old CEO of a dental consulting company, is waiting for his guests to arrive. Laid out on a table in an Allentown, NJ, hotel conference room are 15 meticulously crafted gift bags. There are drinks, some food, and at the center of it all is Massotto, a walking stick of dynamite known to high-stakes players as “The Mouth.” Tonight, he hosts his eponymous draft.“When I tell you this, you’ll find it shocking. Some people don’t like me,” jokes M...
The Athletic •

Yahoo fantasy baseball mock draft results: An expert breakdown of a Roto, 5×5 default league

Having a borderline abrasive history with mock draft content in the past, seeing this assignment cross my desk put a huge smile on my face. Ah, poetic justice. Before spamming the comment section, hear me out. I get they aren’t necessarily everyone’s cup of tea — but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from a mock draft if you take the approach seriously.First off, before even looking at the board, check the settings. To properly prepare for any fantasy league, you must assess its uniqueness. Noth...
The Athletic •

ESPN fantasy baseball mock draft results: Our head-to-head points league, with expert analysis

As the calendar turns to March some sports fans are focused on the madness, but fantasy baseball players know it’s the heart of draft season! I always say it’s about more than just giving you a fish, but rather teaching you HOW to fish — so what better time than the present to remind you about some principles to keep top of mind this year as you try to reel in a championship? And then we’ll look at the application in a recent expert draft…No. 1: Know your settings — This is the No. 1 rule in fan...
The Athletic •

How a Connor Bedard rookie card drew a $1 million bounty — the ‘Young Guns’ version is finally released

Montasy Comics general manager Jimmy Chen got an immediate glimpse of the hype surrounding Connor Bedard’s rookie card from the moment Bedard officially became an NHL player.“It started as soon as he was drafted,” recalled Chen, whose store is located in midtown Manhattan. “I got texts, ‘Are you getting Connor Bedard cards?'”Since Bedard was drafted No. 1 by the Chicago Blackhawks in June, the hype, anticipation and, well, the expected value of his rookie card has only increased. And NHLPA/NHL r...
The Athletic •

How Topps reinvented Series 1 for 2024: ‘We have color at our disposal; why not use it?’

Topps’ flagship Series 1 debuts February 14th and this year’s release refreshes the brand with an innovative design featuring a neon border and black smoke backdrop.It is a massive departure from what we’ve seen over the years from Topps’ Series 1 line (although they’ve put out beautiful, creative cards, this is a bold new look). If you’ve collected Topps’ Cosmic or Fire lines — or even Upper Deck’s Skybox Metal Universe and Panini’s Phoenix — you’ve been treated to bold, colorful designs with a...
The Athletic •

Super Bowl 2024 Travis Kelce prop bets: The 4 bets we like the most and why

The Chiefs beat the 49ers in overtime to win Super Bowl LVIII. Travis Kelce will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, tight ends of all time. But 2023 was a disappointing season from his lofty standards. The future Hall-of-Famer failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2015 and caught fewer than eight touchdowns for just the second time in the previous seven seasons.However, the Kelce we know all too well has returned just in time for another postseason ru...
The Athletic •

Way too early 2024 fantasy football mock draft: An early receiver run, mid-round running back bargains and more

Why do a 2024 fantasy football mock draft now? Why not wait until after free agency and the NFL draft? Things will change drastically from now until the fantasy football draft season — isn’t this useless?Quite the contrary. There are valuable takeaways from a mock draft this early, lessons to be learned and applied to future drafts, by comparing this mock draft to ones done before the season started and seasons past. Remember Gave Davis’ inflated 2022 ADP after his eight-catch, 201-yard, four-to...
The Athletic •

Week 14 fantasy football QB stock watch: Zach Wilson, Desmond Ridder and Jake Browning soaring high

It’s the final week of the fantasy football regular season (and the stretch run of the actual regular season for regular QB-philes). Let’s see who exceeded expectations… and who let us down when we needed them the most.It was a tale of two halves for Zappe, throwing three touchdowns before halftime just to get shut out in the second half. Zappe sits in the glob of gross options like Desmond Ridder and Baker Mayfield, who are just as likely to get you a zero as they are to throw for multiple touc...
The Athletic •

What to do with Austin Ekeler and Breece Hall, Andy Behrens for NFL Commish and more: Week 14 fantasy football mailbag

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the final week of the fantasy football season! Next week kicks off the playoffs for most leagues, and this will be my last mailbag of the season (but we still have a few more mailbags left with Dane and Dom answering). I want to thank each of you who have submitted questions, comments, and read my work this season. It truly means the world, and I hope I helped improve your fantasy season somehow. If I didn’t answer your question in the article, drop it in the comments,...
The Athletic •

NFL Week 13 fantasy football QB stock watch: C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love are up, Russell Wilson sliding down and more

Jay Felicio takes you through the week in QB play with instant analysis of who’s trending up… and down. We’ll update the Sunday afternoon and “Sunday Night Football” after Geno Smith’s best game of the season comes while facing one of the most formidable defenses in the league and dealing with a banged-up elbow. Because…the NFL. After a Week 14 meeting with the 49ers, Smith has one of the best fantasy playoff schedules for quarterbacks (vs. PHI, at TEN, vs. PIT). Wait to trust him in 1QB, but he...
The Athletic •

NFL Week 12 fantasy football QB stock watch: Josh Allen up, Bryce Young hits rock bottom and more

Gardner Minshew and Kenny Pickett have combined to throw zero touchdowns since Week 9. Bryce Young may need a new mentor. Josh Allen is back! Jay Felicio takes you through the week in QB play with instant analysis on who’s trending up… and the many trending down. Love had his third straight game of over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns on Thanksgiving versus the Lions. Even in a tough matchup with the Chiefs’ defense, he’s a solid starter in superflex leagues and a fringe starter in 1QB. – Stoc...
The Athletic •

NFL Week 12 fantasy football QB stock watch: Josh Allen up, Bryce Young hits rock bottom and more

Gardner Minshew and Kenny Pickett have combined to throw zero touchdowns since Week 9. Bryce Young may need a new mentor. Josh Allen is back! Jay Felicio takes you through the week in QB play with instant analysis on who’s trending up… and the many trending down. Love had his third straight game of over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns on Thanksgiving versus the Lions. Even in a tough matchup with the Chiefs’ defense, he’s a solid starter in superflex leagues and a fringe starter in 1QB. – Stoc...
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